SOCIAL SECURITY

June 13, 2006

Dear Mentees, Mentors, and Local Coordinators:

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is pleased to be the lead public sponsor of Disability Mentoring Day (DMD), an American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) program that works to close the employment gap for people with disabilities.

DMD supports SSA's work to advance the economic security of our Nation's people with disabilities through the Ticket to Work program offers SSA disability beneficiaries increased opportunities and choices to obtain employment, vocational rehabilitation, and other support services from public and private providers, employers, and other organizations. Under the Ticket to Work program, SSA is providing disability beneficiaries with a ticket they can use to obtain the services and jobs they need from a new universe of organizations called Employment Networks (ENs).

DMD will be commemorated on Wednesday, October 18, 2006, during Disability Employment Awareness Month. On DMD, students and jobseekers with disabilities will be afforded the opportunity to participate in job shadowing and career exploration activities. This firsthand experience with enable them to learn about the skills and education needed to suceed in the workplace. We believe that DMD participants will be given the opportunity to achieve a heightened understanding and awareness of the ability and talents held by youth and jobseekers with disabilities, and that DMD will also help employers learn how to better meet the needs of workers with disabilities.

We are excited to be able to recommend DMD to all students and jobseekers with disabilities, as well as schools, employers, and government agencies and particularly to SSA disability beneficiaries. With AAPD as the national host, we are sure that DMD will again be an influential and enriching progra for all participants.

To learn more about participating in Disability Mentoring Day, feel free to visit http://www.dmd-aapd.org. If you would like to obtain more information on the Ticket to Work program, please visit http://www.yourtickettowork.com.

Sincerely,
Jo Anne B. Barnhart

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION   •   BALTIMORE, MD 21235-0001